Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 31 - 60 of 88

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Theory And Measurement Of Perceived Introvert Mistreatment, Mallory Mccord Jan 2017

Theory And Measurement Of Perceived Introvert Mistreatment, Mallory Mccord

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Perceived introvert mistreatment, or the extent to which an individual perceives he or she is treated unfairly at work because he or she is introverted, is a form of workplace mistreatment that may be associated with numerous negative outcomes for the workers it impacts. Although an understanding of perceived introvert mistreatment may augment current theoretical knowledge of workplace mistreatment, researchers have yet to consider why (or if) this mistreatment exists or the effects it may have on the individual. Thus, the purpose of this paper is twofold: first, in an attempt to explain how perceived introvert mistreatment may develop and …


Faculty Professional Development For Improving Hybrid Course Success, Amanda Saxman Jan 2017

Faculty Professional Development For Improving Hybrid Course Success, Amanda Saxman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this Dissertation in Practice was to investigate the inconsistent success rates in hybrid courses at a Florida college. Results from a pilot study and faculty survey revealed a need for a training program specific to hybrid instructors. The researchers created a training program composed of a framework and a professional development course, designed to promote consistency in how instructors create and implement their hybrid courses. The framework consists of six research-based standards which aided in the creation of six learning modules for the professional development course. These modules were: course alignment, face-to-face active learning, online resources, formative …


A Study Of The Relationship Between The Quality Of District Supervisor Narrative Feedback To School Principals As It Relates To Student Achievement, Fiscal Management, School Climate, And Teacher Effectiveness, Karena Chunoo Jan 2017

A Study Of The Relationship Between The Quality Of District Supervisor Narrative Feedback To School Principals As It Relates To Student Achievement, Fiscal Management, School Climate, And Teacher Effectiveness, Karena Chunoo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of narrative feedback from district supervisors given to school principals. In addition, building on the research of effective feedback, another purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between supervisor narrative feedback to school principals and four pillars of principal responsibility: student achievement, school climate, fiscal responsibility, and teacher performance. Narrative observation data from the School Leadership Evaluation - Florida Model were analyzed from a large urban school district to determine the level, (i.e., quality) of narrative feedback provided to school principals. Additional data were collected on the four …


A Phenomenological Study On The Implementation Of Louise Rosenblatt's Transactional Theory And Its Impact On Teacher-Efficacy For Literacy Instruction In An Online Environment, Marcus Vu Jan 2017

A Phenomenological Study On The Implementation Of Louise Rosenblatt's Transactional Theory And Its Impact On Teacher-Efficacy For Literacy Instruction In An Online Environment, Marcus Vu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present study sought to examine the teacher-efficacy for literacy instruction (TELI) of instructors who teach in an online environment. The phenomenological methodology sought to answer the following research questions: (1) What pedagogical practices do instructors use to provide literacy instruction in an online environment? (2) How do instructors perceive their TELI in an online environment? and (3) What impact, if any, will a Professional Learning Community (PLC) focused on Rosenblatt's Transactional Theory have on TELI in an online environment? The study consisted of a group of seven online instructors. The researcher the acting as facilitator administered the initial interviews …


The Effectiveness Of Using Florida Virtual High School Course Data During The College Admission Process As A Predictor Of Degree Completion Within Six Years., Michael Callahan Jan 2017

The Effectiveness Of Using Florida Virtual High School Course Data During The College Admission Process As A Predictor Of Degree Completion Within Six Years., Michael Callahan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The admission process at higher education institutions has not adapted for online distance education classes taken in high schools, such as those offered by the Florida Virtual School. The purpose of this study was to determine whether online distance education courses taken in high school can serve as an indicator of student success in post-secondary education. An honors program at a large public research university provided the data examined. This honors program stored online distance education information in a database, which allowed for analysis. Presently, the institution's primary undergraduate admission office does not collect or store this type of information. …


Developing An Insider Threat Experimental Environment, Eric Ortiz Jan 2017

Developing An Insider Threat Experimental Environment, Eric Ortiz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Simulated, 3D gaming environments have been used for a wide-range of applications including training, entertainment, and experimentation in an assortment of domains for some time. This can be attributed to their unique ability to emulate multifaceted situations that may be difficult to control, while affording participants the opportunity to operate in a relatively safe environment. In cybersecurity research, investigation of insider threat behavior is an endeavor that has received little attention in terms of available environments and resources for experimental manipulation. This research effort aimed to close this gap. A simulated, 3D gaming environment and accompanying scenarios were developed for …


An Exploratory Study Of Usa Candidates' And Recent Graduates' Perceptions Of Professional Doctorate Supervision, Kari Whaley Jan 2017

An Exploratory Study Of Usa Candidates' And Recent Graduates' Perceptions Of Professional Doctorate Supervision, Kari Whaley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on exploring professional doctorate candidates' and recent graduates' perceptions of their doctoral supervision experience. Candidates from across the United States, in various academic disciplines, were surveyed and 255 total responses were gathered. The literature search focused on doctorate supervisory practices, doctoral supervisors' characteristics, and unique differences of academic disciplines. This was a mixed-methods study. The data were analyzed by quantitative and qualitative analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed through the use of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (chi square test and Kruskal-Wallis test). Qualitative responses were analyzed using Grounded Theory. Respondents identified the most important competencies of a …


Examining The Experiences Of Latino/A Parents Of First-Generation College Students Pursuing A Doctoral Degree, Natalia Toro Jan 2017

Examining The Experiences Of Latino/A Parents Of First-Generation College Students Pursuing A Doctoral Degree, Natalia Toro

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research points to Latino/a parents as an important source of motivation and support for high achieving Latino/a students who are the first in their families to go to college (Arellano & Padilla, 2006; Gandara, 1982; 1994; Hurtado & Sinha, 2006; Zalaquett, 2005); however, very little is known about their experience as they parent children whose educational paths are so different from their own. Cultural values such as collectivism and familism play a unique role in the level of connection between these parents and their children (Suarez-Orozco & Suarez-Orozco, 1995), creating dynamics that merit exploration. This dissertation qualitatively examines how seven …


Computer Programming With Early Elementary Students With And Without Intellectual Disabilities, Matthew Taylor Jan 2017

Computer Programming With Early Elementary Students With And Without Intellectual Disabilities, Matthew Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Researchers suggest students at the preschool and kindergarten grade levels are active learners and creators and need to be exposed to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. The need for student understanding in STEM curriculum is well documented, and positive results in robotics, computer programming, and coding are leading researchers and policy makers to introduce new standards in education. The purpose of this single case design study is to research the abilities of kindergarten students, with and without intellectual disabilities (ID), to learn skills in computer programming and coding through explicit instruction, concrete manipulatives, and tangible interfaces. While constructionist …


Developing And Validating The Elementary Literacy Self-Efficacy Survey, Adam Ulenski Jan 2017

Developing And Validating The Elementary Literacy Self-Efficacy Survey, Adam Ulenski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to develop and validate an instrument to measure the task-specific self-efficacy beliefs of elementary literacy coaches. In order for this to happen, a synthesis of literature regarding literacy coaching tasks including the International Literacy Association's standards for literacy coaches were used to write several items on the survey. In addition, the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale and the researcher's experiences as an elementary literacy coach were used to write other items on the survey. Experts in the field of literacy coaching and self-efficacy provided content validity. Construct validity was established through correlation statistics with …


Determinants Of Terrorist Target Selection: A Quantitative Analysis, Taylor Haywood Jan 2017

Determinants Of Terrorist Target Selection: A Quantitative Analysis, Taylor Haywood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Existing research on the subject of terrorism is vast, spanning causes of terrorism, the membership of terrorist groups, types of terrorist attacks, and more. One area of terrorism research, though, has received only limited consideration: terrorist target selection. What research does exist explains target selection almost exclusively as a function of ideology (Asal et al. 2009, 270 and 274; Drake 1998b, 54-56 and 58). However, such a limited causal focus obscures other possible, and probable, explanations of terrorist target selection. This paper proposes an alternative explanation of terrorist target selection that includes ideological and terrorist group capability variables, as well …


Dimensions Of State Fragility: Determinants Of Violent Group Grievance, Political Legitimacy, And Economic Capacity, Jason Christensen Jan 2017

Dimensions Of State Fragility: Determinants Of Violent Group Grievance, Political Legitimacy, And Economic Capacity, Jason Christensen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

State fragility has severe political implications. In the literature, fragile states have been referred to as "chaotic breeding grounds" for human rights violations, terrorism, violent extremism, crime, instability, and disease (Patrick 2011, 3-4). International organizations have also expressed concern regarding the potential of "fragile states" to disrupt collective security as threats such as transnational terrorism and human displacement from violent conflict have the potential to permeate borders (Patrick 2011, 5). This research project aims at extending our understanding of state fragility by examining three distinct dimensions of state fragility proposed in the literature: i) state authority, ii) state legitimacy, and …


Local Health Department Adoption Of Health Information Technology And Its Impact On Population Health, Tina Yeung Jan 2017

Local Health Department Adoption Of Health Information Technology And Its Impact On Population Health, Tina Yeung

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the enactment of the HITECH Act in 2009, the US has invested billions in building a robust health information technology (HIT) infrastructure that is secure, capable of the electronic transfer of data and allows for real-time access of patient medical data, among others. This empirical study explored the driving forces (coercive, mimetic, and normative) in the adoption of HIT (i.e. EHRs and HIEs) by local health departments (LHDs) and how it has impacted the population health of counties in the US. The researcher conducted a cross-sectional, quantitative study using secondary data sources. The study included data on 505 local …


A Triangulation Based Coverage Path Planning For A Mobile Robot With Circular Sensing Range, Vatana An Jan 2017

A Triangulation Based Coverage Path Planning For A Mobile Robot With Circular Sensing Range, Vatana An

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, two coverage path planning (CPP) approaches for a nonholonomic mobile robot are proposed. The first approach is the Local Coverage Path Planning (LCPP) approach which is designed for all sensing ranges. The second approach is the Global Coverage Path Planning (GCPP) approach which is designed for sufficient sensing range that can observe all points of interests in the target region (TR). The LCPP approach constructs CP after finding observer points for all local regions in the TR. The GCPP approach computes observer points after CP construction. Beginning with the sample TR, the LCPP approach requires 8 algorithms …


The Effects Of Social Support And Working Alliance On Latino-American Male Combat Veterans, Lloyd Duran Jan 2017

The Effects Of Social Support And Working Alliance On Latino-American Male Combat Veterans, Lloyd Duran

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The negative effects of traumatic combat experiences on combatants' psychological functioning is well documented in the literature. The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) has resulted in many veterans returning from deployments with mental health conditions related to trauma exposure, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, general anxiety, and suicidality. Past researchers found significant ethnic differences in psychological functioning, with Latino-American veterans reporting more symptoms of PTSD. Furthermore, Latino-American cultural values place importance on collective orientation and secrecy of mental health concerns which may affect treatment. Thus, this study built on limited research about Latino-American male combat veterans by focusing on …


Power Effects On Consumer Well-Being: Two Essays On The Power Effects On Donation And Material/Experiential Consumption, Yue Liu Jan 2017

Power Effects On Consumer Well-Being: Two Essays On The Power Effects On Donation And Material/Experiential Consumption, Yue Liu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Power is a fundamental concept in social science (Russell 1938), which has gained much academic attention in various disciplines. Two essays of this dissertation examine the theoretical and practical implications of power effects on donation decisions and material/experiential consumption. The first essay demonstrates power's moderating effect on the relationship between publicity and donation. Specifically, it is proposed that powerful people tend to donate more in public (vs. private) situation, whereas powerless people do not show such a difference. This effect is driven by people's concern about self-presentation in a donation scenario. Additionally, this effect only holds when people strongly believe …


Investigating Instructional Designers' Decisions Regarding The Use Of Multimedia Learning Principles In E-Learning Course Design, Victor Arguelles Jan 2017

Investigating Instructional Designers' Decisions Regarding The Use Of Multimedia Learning Principles In E-Learning Course Design, Victor Arguelles

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study employed a qualitative research design using the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior (DTPB) to investigate instructional designers' use of multimedia learning principles (MLPs) in e-learning course design. While MLPs have been extensively studied in educational research and are largely associated with positive results, evidence suggests that instructional designers are not uniformly implementing these strategies when designing e-learning environments. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to understand better the alignment between instructional designers' knowledge and demonstrated implementation of MLPs; and (b) to understand the factors that influence instructional designers' intent and actual implementation of MLPs in their …


A Process Evaluation Of A Family Involvement Program At A Title I Elementary School, Maria Camacho Moody Jan 2017

A Process Evaluation Of A Family Involvement Program At A Title I Elementary School, Maria Camacho Moody

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parental or family involvement in student academics has been an on-going topic for researchers. There is a need for studies to be conducted on parental involvement program implementation in order to determine if there is an impact on student academics when school, family, and community partnership programs are in place. For this study, a process evaluation was conducted on a parental or family involvement program newly developed and implemented at a Title I elementary school in an urban setting. The purpose of this mixed-methods process evaluation was to (a) document how the program was implemented, (b) examine the progress toward …


Bridging The Gap Between Esol And Native English Speakers In A Digital Collaborative Classroom, Shalander Samuels Jan 2017

Bridging The Gap Between Esol And Native English Speakers In A Digital Collaborative Classroom, Shalander Samuels

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation in practice was to explore how to bridge the gap between ESOL students and native English speaking students in a collaborative learning environment in a middle school in Tangerine Florida. The gap in performance was highlighted because ESOL students failed to meet the same levels of academic achievement (based on the Florida Standard Assessment Test) as their native English-speaking counter parts. The intent of the dissertation was to design a framework that would meet the pedagogical needs of ESOL students and teachers who teach them. A pilot study was completed that included teachers both ESOL-endorsed …


A Study Of The Relationship Between Continuous Professional Learning Community Implementation And Student Achievement In A Large Urban School District, Erica Sutula Jan 2017

A Study Of The Relationship Between Continuous Professional Learning Community Implementation And Student Achievement In A Large Urban School District, Erica Sutula

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this causal comparative study was to understand the differences in comparative data across a large urban school district and to examine the continued effects of the PLC model on teacher and leader perception of the model and student achievement as measured by the 2012 and 2014 FCAT 2.0 Reading and Mathematics. The population for this study included all instructional and leadership personnel in schools within the target school district, with a final convenience sample across the two school years of N=5,954. The research questions for this study focused on (a) the change in teacher's perception of teachers …


Exploring The Experiences Contributing To The Success Of High-Achieving Black Female Undergraduate Students At A Predominantly White Institution, Whitney Watkins Jan 2017

Exploring The Experiences Contributing To The Success Of High-Achieving Black Female Undergraduate Students At A Predominantly White Institution, Whitney Watkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Much of the literature regarding Black students at predominantly White institutions (PWI) focuses on these students' academic difficulty, while there is far less attention paid to the performance of higher achieving Black students (Fries-Britt, 1998; Fries-Britt & Griffin, 2007). Therefore, this study explored the lived experiences of high-achieving Black female students, focusing particularly on the experiences which contribute to their success at a PWI. The qualitative phenomenological research design was used to highlight emergent themes revealed during the study. Eight purposely selected students participated in one-on-one semi structured interviews and a Sister Circle group process. The participants' stories were highlighted …


Spray-Deposited Titanium-Oxide Films For Infrared Optics, Photonics, And Solar Cell Applications., Sarmad Alhasan Jan 2017

Spray-Deposited Titanium-Oxide Films For Infrared Optics, Photonics, And Solar Cell Applications., Sarmad Alhasan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Self-assembled TiO2 foam-like films, were grown by the water based Streaming Process for Electrodeless Electrochemical Deposition (SPEED). The morphology of the ∼1 µm thick films consists of a tangled ropy structure with individual strands of ∼ 200 nm diameter and open pores of 0.1 to 3 micron dimensions. Such films are advantageous for proposed perovskite solar cell comprising CH3NH3PbI3 absorber with additional inorganic films as contact and conduction layers, all deposited by SPEED. Lateral film resistivity is in the range 20 - 200 kΩ-cm, increasing with growth temperature, while sheet resistance is in the range 2 − 20 × 108 …


Exploring Interactions Between Adult English Learners And Their Teachlive Digital Character Peers, Ting Yan Jan 2017

Exploring Interactions Between Adult English Learners And Their Teachlive Digital Character Peers, Ting Yan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Peer interaction is an important part of language learning. The results of previous studies showed advantages and disadvantages of peer interaction between native speakers and English learners. Using the educational simulation platform TeachLivE as the interaction platform, this qualitative descriptive case study explored the possibilities of bridging the gap between classroom language practice and real-life second language communication. The study recruited eight participants for a task-based interaction project. Using conversation analysis, the study revealed details in communication between adult English learners and their digital character peers. During the interactions, the participants were actively involved and the most frequent communication patterns …


English Language Arts Preservice And Inservice Teacher's Knowledge About How To Use Etextbooks And Open Educational Resources To Support Students' Comprehension: A Case Study, Lourdes Smith Jan 2017

English Language Arts Preservice And Inservice Teacher's Knowledge About How To Use Etextbooks And Open Educational Resources To Support Students' Comprehension: A Case Study, Lourdes Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this qualitative, descriptive case study was to (a) investigate the knowledge English Language Arts preservice and inservice teachers had about eTextbooks and Open Educational Resources (OERs) and (b) how they planned to use that knowledge to develop their current/future 6-12 grade students' comprehension and content knowledge. Included within the study were specifics regarding how eTextbooks and OERs can be used to support adolescent learners and how online comprehension skills can be developed. Data were analyzed in order to determine themes related to the use and planning for eTextbooks and OERs in the secondary ELA classroom. Data sources …


An Examination Of Novice And Expert Teachers' Pedagogy In A Mixed-Reality Simulated Inclusive Secondary Classroom Including A Student Avatar With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Taylor Bousfield Jan 2017

An Examination Of Novice And Expert Teachers' Pedagogy In A Mixed-Reality Simulated Inclusive Secondary Classroom Including A Student Avatar With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Taylor Bousfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teachers, special and general educators alike, are required to teach a variety of students including students with ASD. With a rise in the prevalence of autism by 119.4% since 2000 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2016) and 39% of students with ASD being served in general education classrooms for over 80% of the school day (U.S. Department of Education, 2015), teachers need to be prepared to effectively teach this population. To better prepare teachers, the researcher conducted a two-phase study, situated in the framework of the Skill Acquisition Model (Dreyfus & Dreyfus, 1986) to explore the behaviors of …


Ice Hockey Coaches' Beliefs And Perceptions Of Coach Education, Alexander Chriest Jan 2017

Ice Hockey Coaches' Beliefs And Perceptions Of Coach Education, Alexander Chriest

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive study was to provide insight into ice hockey coaches' beliefs and perceptions of coach education programs. USA Hockey is the governing body for all hockey in the United States and requires education through the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program. Gaining a better understanding of how hockey coaches perceive coach education programs provided information that can be used in the evaluation and development of future programs. The theoretical framework used in this study was expectancy-value theory. USA Hockey youth coaches (N = 410) were surveyed using the Coaching Education Questionnaire, a 55-item instrument used to collect …


Faculty Perspectives And Participation In Implementing An Early Alert System And Intervention In A Community College, Claudine Bentham Jan 2017

Faculty Perspectives And Participation In Implementing An Early Alert System And Intervention In A Community College, Claudine Bentham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Early alert systems have been recognized as a high impact practice designed to improve student engagement and student success. Early alert is designed to identify students with at-risk behaviors early in the semester before they decide to drop-out, withdraw, or fail their classes, using resources such as a predictive analysis tool or advising. For an early alert to be successful and efficient, faculty should be included in the process of early alert. This qualitative study examined faculty's perspective and experiences when implementing early alert strategies and intervention in a two-year institution. Using Cranton's seven facets of transformative learning as a …


Using Molecular Genetic And Demographic Tools To Improve Management Of Ex Situ Avian Populations, Gina Ferrie Jan 2017

Using Molecular Genetic And Demographic Tools To Improve Management Of Ex Situ Avian Populations, Gina Ferrie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Small populations, specifically those that are isolated from others, are more prone to extinction than larger inter-connected populations. The risks that these small isolated populations face include loss of genetic diversity due to founder effects and inbreeding due to population bottlenecks, as well as demographic uncertainty due to fluctuating fecundity and mortality rates and impacts of external environmental factors. Ex situ populations, including those managed as conservation breeding programs with species recovery aims, as well as those that do not have reintroduction goals but are managed for long term population sustainability, suffer from the same extinction risks as small and …


Affective Chickens And Performance Eggs: A Longitudinal Meta-Analysis, Matthew Lapalme Jan 2017

Affective Chickens And Performance Eggs: A Longitudinal Meta-Analysis, Matthew Lapalme

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The affective revolution in the organizational sciences has yielded a body of theoretical and empirical research examining the relationship between affect and performance. This work has typically advanced affect as a predictor of performance; however, more recent theory suggests that the relationship between affect and performance is reciprocal. Since little empirical work exists supporting reciprocity between affect and performance, the purpose of this dissertation is to test if affect and performance are actually reciprocally related. Importantly, the advent of longitudinal and experiential research designs in the organizational sciences affords empirical opportunities to test such theory. This dissertation examines the temporal …


Pioneer Of Self: An Intimate Retrospective, Juliet Diienno Jan 2017

Pioneer Of Self: An Intimate Retrospective, Juliet Diienno

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reality is ever changing, and as we gain experience, our perceptions of it transform. Plato's allegory of the cave addresses the way one person's journey from darkness into daylight transforms his reality. My own body of work can be described through this extended metaphor, similarly benefiting from effects of education, self-reflection, and experience dramatically altering my perceptions of myself and my artwork. As projected by Plato, I was forced through an arduous confrontation with my lack of understanding of the human condition, reshaping my ideas to comprehend and adapt to the metaphorical daylight. With new understanding, I return to give …